President of Latvia Egils Levits met with Latvian professionals working at the international organisations at the Riga Castle today. President underlined that the experience and contacts developed by Latvian professionals working for the various international organisations, as well as their civic position and willingness to contribute to contemporary development of Latvia, have an immense potential.
‘It is important for Latvia to put the knowledge and experience of Latvian experts working for the international organisations to good use for our country,’ said Egils Levits. He also mentioned a number of national priorities with regard to Latvia's candidacy for the UN Security Council non-permanent seat and European Union legal policy space.
Elīna Pinto, President of the European Latvian Association and member of the board of the community of Latvian diaspora scientists, professionals and entrepreneurs #beLV, underlined that a global pragmatic Latvianness professional network has already materialised and it is important to continue dialogue with national authorities to maximise the impact of experience and resources that Latvian professionals can offer on Latvia. #beLV has already become a platform that can strongly support such cooperation. ‘We can be as big as our cooperation potential,’ said Ms Pinto. She also mentioned the role of professionals in promoting Latvia internationally and stronger country marketing worldwide.
Participants of the meeting called for more intense awareness raising across Latvia about international organisations, debate on strategic international processes and their impact on Latvia. All participants confirmed their openness and willingness to engage in dialogue with Latvian government bodies for sharing their experience and professional advice from their specific field of expertise. It was emphasised that networking platform for professionals enhances consistent and structured cooperation with Latvia, and also serves as an efficient mutual support and knowledge exchange tool. Participants also mentioned the need to continue school cooperation programme launched by European Commission Representation in Latvia. This programme includes visits to Latvian schools and conversations about what it means to work for an international organisation.
Inita Pauloviča, Deputy Director of the State Chancery for Public Administration Policy, said it is important to have the dialogue with Latvian professionals around the world on how to improve the legal acts developed by Latvia. Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica, Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, zoomed in on cooperation between Latvia’s diplomatic missions and diaspora. She also said there is a need to create a common cooperation platform bringing together Latvian state institutions and professionals worldwide.
In conclusion, participants agreed to organise a cooperation platform event for Latvian public authorities and international experts in 2022 to have a more elaborate debate on which international experiences in various areas need to be transferred to Latvia and how to promote everyday exchanges between both sides.
Participants of the meeting included Ilze Juhansone, Secretary-General of the European Commission, Inga Reine, judge of the Court of Justice of the European Union, Ilze Baranovska, European External Action Service representative in Indonesia, Valda Liepiņa, representative of the European Research Institute, Inese Višķere, employee of the Court of Justice of the European Union, Monta Neilande, employee of the European Commission Representation in Ukraine, Dilarde Teilāne, European External Action Service representative in Pakistan, Miks Muižarājs, employee of the World Bank, Inita Pauloviča, Deputy Director of the State Chancery for Public Administration Policy and former head of the UN Development Programme Latvia and deputy permanent representative to Ukraine, Georgia and Turkmenistan, Zane Petre, Head of the European Commission Representation in Latvia and Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica, Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.